Face Time – Chapter 22

Lee

I’m browsing the bookstore at the airport before my flight leaves when my iPhone buzzes.

—-

Laura Merchant

Does your flight leave soon?

—-

Lee Park

In an hour. I’m picking up a new book for the flight.

I don’t want to work on the way home.

More Ludlum? What should I read?

What’s next to your bed?

—-

Laura Merchant

Besides my glasses? I’m reading lots of Young Adult right now.

Read something by John Green if you can find it. You’ll like him.

—-

Lee Park

Glasses? I didn’t know you wore glasses.

I didn’t see them in any of our chats before.

—-

Laura Merchant

I usually wear contacts. I’m not sure why you never saw my glasses before. Here. Fashion Show.

…

—-

My heart stops. I don’t know how she manages to be even more sexy than usual with glasses on, but she does. Her auburn hair wildly spills along the side of a pair of red, square plastic frames, her smile holding the hint of an inside joke. The joke’s on me. I have a girlfriend far away that I know so little about. What else can I learn about her?

—-

Laura Merchant

And this pair…

—-

Same smile, same pose, but a pair of oval tortoise shell frames that look great too.

—-

Laura Merchant

And these too. I buy them online and switch them up.

—-

Black, cat-eye frames with little gems in the corners.

—-

Lee Park

You could play sexy secretary with those.

—-

Laura Merchant

Indeed. I’ll hide them away for role play someday ;)

Did you find a book?

—-

Lee Park

I might have to stick with Ludlum. The selection here is not very broad.

Laura, what side of the bed do you sleep on?

—-

I pay for my book and exit the store with a bottle of water and bag of potato chips. Sitting down facing my gate, I pick a spot next to another businessman typing away on his computer.

—-

Laura Merchant

I sleep on the left. Closest to the door.

—-

Lee Park

Good, I sleep on the right. Are you a side sleeper?

—-

Laura Merchant

Side and back. Sleeping on my stomach irritates my back.

—-

Lee Park

Me too. I like to read before bed and fall asleep on my left side.

—-

Laura Merchant

That’s funny, me too. I like to rub my feet together under the covers until I’m almost asleep.

—-

Lee Park

I think I just close my eyes and pass out.

—-

Laura Merchant

During the winter, I sleep with socks on. I can’t fall asleep if my feet are cold.

—-

Lee Park

You could tuck them between mine. Mine are always hot.

—-

A long silence lengthens while I wait for a reply, so I open my water and potato chips and stare out the window. Ten more minutes till boarding.

—-

Laura Merchant

What are the chances we’ll be able to spend the winter together? I really want to know.

—-

Lee Park

The winter is so far away. Let’s spend all the seasons together.

—-

Laura Merchant

In Seoul?

—-

Lee Park

Wherever I am, I’d like you to be there. What would you like?

—-

Laura Merchant

I’m scared to talk to you about this stuff. Like it’s too soon…

—-

Lee Park

It’s not. Don’t hold back, Laura. I want to be with you.

—-

Laura Merchant

I want to travel the world with you.

I want to be spontaneous.

I want to be happy.

—-

Lee Park

I want you to travel the world with me.

I want you to show me how to be spontaneous.

Making you happy will make me happy.

—-

Laura Merchant

I want to kiss you so much.

—-

Lee Park

Me too.

Wait, what time is it there? 1:30am?

—-

Laura Merchant

Hmmm, yes. I am baked. I sent Nicole and Justin home over an hour ago.

—-

Lee Park

Baked? As in stoned? Smoked pot?

—-

Laura Merchant

Yes, indeed. I’m thinking about eating again.

—-

Lee Park

Lol. I can’t believe you smoke pot.

I’d give anything to some days. It’s hard to come by in Asia and my firm drug tests.

—-

Laura Merchant

Oh good. You sent that first text and I was wondering if you disapproved.

—-

Lee Park

Not at all. I went to Berkeley, remember?

—-

Laura Merchant

Right. Good point.

I don’t often. Justin brought it and left some for me.

He’s a prince… who likes other princes.

I should go raid the fridge. Tell me about the weird snacks in India before you board your flight.

—-

My laughter startles the businessman next to me. I immediately regret that I don’t have enough time to go back to the snack shop and buy up a bunch of strange things for her like the curry flavored chips or tamarind candy I passed over at the checkout counter. Next time, Lee. Next time.

My phone buzzes again.

—-

Cori Winslow

Sorry I’ve been out of touch. Things have been hectic around here.

—-

Lee Park

Is everyone ok?

—-

Cori Winslow

Yes, everyone’s fine. We’re all looking forward to your valiant return.

We’ll talk when you get back.

—-

Hmmm, I wonder what’s going on in Seoul. I text back an “I’m boarding. Xoxo.” to Laura and put my phone in my bag as first class is called to board.